TWO DAYS IN
Budapest, Hungary
We left Český Krumlov and arrived in Budapest in the early afternoon. Our first stop was the Dohány Street Synagogue — one of the largest in the world. The building’s Moorish Revival architecture was gorgeous, all stripes and domes and stained glass.
From there, we strolled toward the heart of the city. We passed elegant boulevards and Art Nouveau facades, and finally arrived at St. Stephen’s Basilica. Its dome towers above the skyline, and from the inside, everything glows. Gilded ceilings, marble floors, a soft hush among visitors. You can’t help but look up. Next we headed off for a visit to the Hungarian Parliament Building. It sits grandly on the Danube, all Gothic Revival grandeur with spires and symmetry.
St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament Building are tied as the tallest buildings in Budapest — both stand at exactly 96 metres tall. This shared height isn’t a coincidence. It’s symbolic: 96 refers to the year 896, when the Hungarian Magyars settled in the Carpathian Basin. And the equal height reflects a balance between church and state — no building is allowed to rise above them.
And then came the cheesy bread our guide Levi invited us to try. Langos. Warm, pillowy, deep-fried dough slathered with garlic, sour cream, and a mountain of grated cheese.
Our first night ended in a ruin pub — a Budapest institution. Think mismatched furniture, fairy lights, vintage clutter, and a carefree vibe tucked into the skeleton of an old building.
The next morning, we crossed the Danube and wandered up into the Castle District. The climb to Fishermen’s Bastion was worth every step — the fairytale towers and sweeping views made it feel like stepping into a dream.
Later, we melted into bliss at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, the iconic yellow Neo-Baroque palace of water. Floating under the open sky in warm mineral pools — it’s an experience that feels both surreal and very, very Hungarian.
Before we left, we dipped into the Central Market Hall — a multi-storey feast of paprika, sausages and handmade crafts. We wandered past rainbow rows of produce and souvenirs, soaking in the colours and the bustle of daily life.
Two days felt like a blink, but Budapest left a lasting impression: history dressed in elegance and culture. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and would love to return one day.